Prepare for a long post. 
Soon after the latest update (10.5.3), my audio began fading in and out, marked by irritating clomping sounds (don't know how else to describe it) and a flickering red LED in the audio jack. I've read that an update could not cause audio output problems. Is this true? I've also read that users have experienced problems such as mine in the past (prior 10.4.10). Is it possible Apple unknowingly broke it again? It's bound to happen every so often. However, if such were the case, there would be a big uproar by now, which is certainly not the case. Or is it... There have been three similar posts in the past 8 hours in the Apple forums. Coincidence...
For awhile, the audio was so choppy it would be impossible to watch a video online, which is where it was most significant. It is quite problematic in iTunes as well. It's really difficult to tell whether it's getting worse or staying about the same since it appears to be random. However, it usually occurs after bringing my system out of sleep.There are times when it goes for hours without fault while others it is an annoying mess of intermittent playback.
It seems worse when my external speakers are connected but it also occurs using internal and headphones. However, I'm playing through external speakers right now and all is fine. During an audio freak out, if I adjust the volume, it indicates the volume is muted until it eventually blows over, which is usually only a few seconds. During the reboot sequence, I've noticed the red light is steady. I'm not sure if this is of any significance or if such behavior is even consistent. Also, it was really flaky earlier today. The system wasn't even in use.
I have tried the following:
The toothpick trick. I used a bobby-pin and paperclip. Metal doesn't seem like such a good idea but supposedly it's fine. I've tried fishing around in the jack for about 5-10 minutes total, which seemed to help all three times. However, the audio problem unfailingly returns. It is possible I just haven't hit the right spot yet... quite likely, in fact. I've read it's at the 6 o'clock position but I'll be damned if I can find it.
Removed com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist, com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist, com.apple.BezelServices.plist in /Library/Preferences. It worked fine for a few hours. I put the system to sleep and once I started a track playing in iTunes, there it was again!
Reset PRAM. No noticeable effect.
Repeatedly connected/disconnected external speakers. This has worked for some people. No success here.
I've run the hardware test CD. No trouble found.
It certainly sounds like a hardware problem and I keep thinking... bad audio jack.
I bought my MacBook used on eBay with no warranty and I certainly don't want to pay for the logic board to be replaced. Therefore, as a worst case scenario, I will try to replace the jack myself.
My question is: Are there any further suggestions?
The definitive test is to boot from a Live CD, which I've still yet to try.
Thanks,
Michael
Soon after the latest update (10.5.3), my audio began fading in and out, marked by irritating clomping sounds (don't know how else to describe it) and a flickering red LED in the audio jack. I've read that an update could not cause audio output problems. Is this true? I've also read that users have experienced problems such as mine in the past (prior 10.4.10). Is it possible Apple unknowingly broke it again? It's bound to happen every so often. However, if such were the case, there would be a big uproar by now, which is certainly not the case. Or is it... There have been three similar posts in the past 8 hours in the Apple forums. Coincidence...
For awhile, the audio was so choppy it would be impossible to watch a video online, which is where it was most significant. It is quite problematic in iTunes as well. It's really difficult to tell whether it's getting worse or staying about the same since it appears to be random. However, it usually occurs after bringing my system out of sleep.There are times when it goes for hours without fault while others it is an annoying mess of intermittent playback.
It seems worse when my external speakers are connected but it also occurs using internal and headphones. However, I'm playing through external speakers right now and all is fine. During an audio freak out, if I adjust the volume, it indicates the volume is muted until it eventually blows over, which is usually only a few seconds. During the reboot sequence, I've noticed the red light is steady. I'm not sure if this is of any significance or if such behavior is even consistent. Also, it was really flaky earlier today. The system wasn't even in use.
I have tried the following:
The toothpick trick. I used a bobby-pin and paperclip. Metal doesn't seem like such a good idea but supposedly it's fine. I've tried fishing around in the jack for about 5-10 minutes total, which seemed to help all three times. However, the audio problem unfailingly returns. It is possible I just haven't hit the right spot yet... quite likely, in fact. I've read it's at the 6 o'clock position but I'll be damned if I can find it.
Removed com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist, com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist, com.apple.BezelServices.plist in /Library/Preferences. It worked fine for a few hours. I put the system to sleep and once I started a track playing in iTunes, there it was again!
Reset PRAM. No noticeable effect.
Repeatedly connected/disconnected external speakers. This has worked for some people. No success here.
I've run the hardware test CD. No trouble found.
It certainly sounds like a hardware problem and I keep thinking... bad audio jack.
I bought my MacBook used on eBay with no warranty and I certainly don't want to pay for the logic board to be replaced. Therefore, as a worst case scenario, I will try to replace the jack myself.
My question is: Are there any further suggestions?
The definitive test is to boot from a Live CD, which I've still yet to try.
Thanks,
Michael